Q.The great problem of the modern age is
disequilibrium, lack of balance. One immediately loses one's
balance in the face of a little opposition. Even. if one person
allied with group consciousness, becomes unbalanced, he directly
or indirectly influences the whole group. What kind of meditation
do you suggest for a durable and certain resolution of the
problem of mental imbalance?

Ans. From the physiological point of view,
the thyroid gland is very important. The metabolic process is
regulated by it. From the point of view of sadhana, it is the
seat of the Centre of Purity. For the purification of feeling,
meditation on this centre is very necessary. Problems arising out
of meditation on the lower centres can be resolved through it. In
the purification of intense emotions like anger etc. it is
actively beneficial. The relaxation of the larynx and the
perception of the Centre of Purity simultaneously make a rare
harmonious and beautiful combination. The sadhak who attains such
a combination, after surmounting many difficulties of life,
reaches a point from where his goal is clearly, visible to him.

One of the processes of
hatha-yoga is jalandharbandha. The chin is made to rest in
the notch between the collar bones and at the top of the
breast-bone. In that state, one has a feeling as if nectar is
flowing down one's throat. It happens in the region around
Vishudhi Kendra, the Centre of Purity. This centre has an
important role in obviating the restlessness of the mind. A
simpleresolution of the problem of mental imbalance is
the relaxing of the larynx and jalandhar-bandha. Meditation
on Vishudhi Kendra, the Centre of Purity, and kayotsargof the throat remove all uncertainty. Imbalance arises
because the mind is caught in uncertainty. With the dissolution
of uncertainty, the mind grows tranquil and the state of
disequihbrium comes to an end.

Q. If a sadhak wants to undertake advanced
exercises - in sadhana and wishes to avoid strong emotions that
might arise during meditation, what psychic centre should he
concentrate upon?

Ans. There is a centre of consciousness near
the heart, called AnandKendra,the Centre of
Bliss. This centre represents feeling. The consciousness of the
brain, and the consciousness of the heart--these two phrases are
often mentioned. The brain is associated with logic and the heart
with feeling. With the awakening of the Centre of Knowledge, a
man becomes logical and argumentative, while the activation of
the Centre of Bliss results in the development of faith.
Consciousness is said to be directly connected with the brain,
though our inner consciousness is connected with the endocrine
system, too, through which our feelings manifest themselves. The
consciousness of the heart is intimately connected with feelings.
Our heart immediately gets hold of the sensations of pleasure or
pain. The heart and the whole region adjacent to it, is
influenced by the Centre of Bliss. Some people call it the Chakraof the Heart. In Hatha-Yoga, it is called the Anahata-Chakra.
Meditation on this centre along with the recitation of
mantras is a good beginning. Some specific spiritual disciplines
are also practised through the medium of this centre. There is no
room here for the risks and difficulties involved in the practice
of meditation on the lower centres. From this angle, the Centre
of Bliss is a typical and convenient centre for meditation.

Q.Manipur Chakra is said to be in the
neighbourhood of Anahata Chakra.Where is this chakralocated?
What is its function? And for what psychic centre may it serve as
a substitute?

Ans. Manipur Chakra known as Tejas Kendra
(the Centre of Bio-Electricity) in Preksha Dhyana. The
physiological term for it is adrenal glands. It is
located in the region around the navel. It is said to be the
centre which produces vital power. According to the
physiologists, the adrenal glands are responsible for the
transmission of energy. In certain special situations, these
glands make typical secretions which result in an unthought-of
increase in power. Meditation on Tejas Kendra,the Centre
of Bio-Electricity, develops the vital power. From the point of
sadhana, this centre is the principle source of making available
abundant bio-electricity. Bio-electricity is the energy which a
sadhak needs most. A man without energy is incapable of doing
advanced exercises in the field of sadhana, nor can he succeed in
them. Ordinarily, bio-electricity is to be found in the whole of
the body, still there are certain principle centres, among which
the rear part of the navel is important. Energy develops through
meditation on this portion and this energy could be utilised in
awakening the remaining psychic centres.

Q. The psychic centres which you have
discussed so far, are all located above the navel. Some people
think that only these centres above the navel are good for
meditation, that meditation on the lower centres is fraught with
risk. Is it so? What psychic centres are found below the navel?
Should one meditate upon them or not?

Ans. The psychic centres are mainly connected
with our spinal cord and some other typical parts of the body.
All the psychic centres in the body have not yet been discovered.
The physiologists know about these even less. All the same it is
correct that the centres situated above the navel are pure and
clean. Normally, prolonged meditation is practised on these
centres. The lower centres are not so pure. In the system of
preksha dhyana so far only two lower centres have been used for
meditation---the Centre of Health and the Centre of Energy.

The psychic centre located
between the navel and the pubic region is the Centre of Health.
In Hatha-Yoga it is called Svadhisthana Chakra(the
hypogastric plexus). In the language of physiology, this region
is influenced by the gonads. From the point of view of
brahmcharya, this centre is of great utility. The relationship
between brahmcharya and health is not yet fully known to modern
physiology. However, the ancient masters of spirituality gave it
a good deal of attention. According to the discoveries made by
them, from the points of view of both sadhana and health, the
practice of brahmcharya has a special importance in the
acquisition and preservation of energy.

Below the Centre of Health is
the Centre of Energy. In Hatha-Yoga it is called the Muladhara
Chakra.It is the lower most of the fundamental centres.
It is connected with sushumnaor the nervous system. The
energy which is created by Tejas Kendra, the Centre of
Bio-electricity has its source in Shakti Kendra, the
Centre of Power. From this viewpoint, it is also called the
Centre of Energy. The electricity or energy required by our
brain, is supplied by this centre. That is indeed the objective
of the exercise of the internal trip during which consciousness
is made to move up and down, form the Centre of Energy to the
Centre of Knowledge and back. During that trip our consciousness
becoming the vehicle of energy, conveys it to the Centre of
Knowledge in the brain. Thus, all the psychic centres make an
unparalleled contribution to our physical, mental and emotional
health and spiritual development.

Tejas Kendra(the Centre
of Bio-electricity) in the rear part of the navel, Swasthya
Kendra(the Centre of Health) located between the navel
and the pubic region, and Shakti Kendra(the Centre of
Energy) below are not so important from the point of view of
spiritual development, but they have their utility from the
physical point of view. Tejas Kendrais the centre of
vital power (bio-electricity); it is, therefore essential for
survival and health. To meditate upon Swasthya Kendra(the
Centre of Health) and Shakti Kendra(the Centre of Energy)
is not that essential. Generally, one should meditate upon and
above Anand Kendra (the Centre of Bliss). In the preliminary
stages, sadhaks are made to meditate upon the lower centres, too,
for a little while. But along with these, it is necessary to
meditate upon the upper centres. If Darshan Kendra(the
Centre of Intuition) and Jyoti Kendra(the Centre of
Enlightenment) get activated, there is then no need to
concentrate upon the lower centres at all. As to what particular
psychic centres and in what condition should a sadhak meditate
one should seek guidance from experienced people.

Q.Some people have been practising
meditation for years together and other are novices. Whose
psychic centres get awakened early? Does a sadhak come to know
clearly that his psychic centres have been activated?

Ans. There is no fixed rule about the time
taken for the awakening of the psychic centres. Some sadhaks do
not experience any change within themselves even after practising
meditation for long period. Their psychic centres also remain
inert. However, some sadhaks make good progress within a short
time. Such a transformation takes place in them as to fill
themselves with surprise. No one in the beginning has direct
intimation of the activation or otherwise of the psychic centres,
but it may be definitely asserted that the psychological and
intellectual development, the diminution, of egoism, higher
instincts, the sublimation of personality, the resolution of
mental confusion and diseases, are strong proofs that the psychic
centres are very much alive.